It’s pretty low odds that you’ll be selected and it’s often quite frustrating going through the application and interview process, and then not getting chosen. Therefore, I was intrigued to read the following article about how someone was able to jump to the head of the line as a result of having served in the military:

In July 2016, I was combing the Internet, looking for affordable housing. I ran across an article about a lottery for rental apartments opening on the Upper West Side. The rents were starting at $432.59. Not only was this in the budget, it could afford me the type of living experience I’d never had.

I followed the link provided and signed up atHousing Connect, the website run by New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), where you can search for housing lotteries. When I read that veterans are raised to the top of the list, I could hardly contain myself. I quickly hunted down my DD-214 (military discharge form) to send with the application.

I applied on July 14th. The lottery closed on Aug. 5th. In October, I got a letter in the mail telling me my position on the wait list was #27 and I needed to send in some money to secure my spot—I think the amount was $250.”

“I needed the first month’s rent ($444) and a security deposit ($444) in a money order because that’s how they rolled.

My utilities are included in the rent and an air conditioner is an additional $25 per month. The building has 15 washers and 20 dryers. The building is exceptionally maintained, and the staff are like family. I really did hit the lottery!

Not only is this rental insight cheap, but the staff in the building treat him well. And judging by the photos, it’s a pretty nice place!

We are Jen and Sandy, professional nomads in New York City. We live off the urban land and document our findings along the way. We pay no rent, no utilities, and live sustainably off $100/week. Read more about us here.